Conservation of energy of an oxygen molecule

AI Thread Summary
To determine the height from which an oxygen molecule must fall in a vacuum for its kinetic energy to equal the average energy at 200 K, the conservation of energy principle is applied. The average energy of an oxygen molecule is calculated using the formula Eavg = 5/2KbT, considering it is a diatomic molecule. An initial calculation yielded a height of 7855.8 m, which was incorrect due to the wrong average energy formula being used. The correct approach involves using the diatomic molecule energy formula, which resolves the issue. This highlights the importance of correctly identifying molecular characteristics in energy calculations.
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[SOLVED] conservation of energy

Homework Statement



From what height must an oxygen molecule fall in a vacuum so that its kinetic energy at the bottom equals the average energy of an oxygen molecule at 200 K?

Homework Equations



conservation of energy
Eavg=3/2KbT
Epot=mgh

The Attempt at a Solution



I used conservation of energy and set
Epot.=Eavg. and got 7855.8 m. But it is wrong.
 
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What is the correct ans? This one seems to be right. Or my computer's not working.
 
I get to see the answer only after it is due. It is due thursday. when i tried this answer, the computer says it is wrong.
 
Eavg=3/2KbT
Oxygen molecule is a diatomic molecule. Therefore Eavg = 5/2kbT. Try this.
 
Thank you.
 
rl.bhat said:
Eavg=3/2KbT
Oxygen molecule is a diatomic molecule. Therefore Eavg = 5/2kbT. Try this.

Oy. Forgot about that altogether. Thanks from me too.
 

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